While some may consider the movie a little slow at times, its overall message is a powerful one. A movie about redemption, restoration and hope. Robert Duvall's portrayal of a man whose life is in need of repair is outstanding. Ranks with his character in "The Apostle", a similar tale in many ways. In my opinion, the baptismal scene is one of the movie's most moving moments. The bleak landscapes and the dust-blown scenes effectively echo the main character's state of mind for part of the film. Mac Sledge is a great character brought to life by Duvall. As Sledge gradually gets his life together thanks to the developing relationships with a young widow and her son, the mood of the movie becomes a little more positive.
96 Reviews
great Duvall
SnoopyStyle8 November 2015
Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) is an alcoholic washed up country singer. He can't pay his motel bill and starts working for the widowed owner Rosa Lee (Tess Harper) who is raising her son Sonny. He turns his life around and they get marry. His new life is interrupted when a reporter drops by. His ex-wife Dixie Scott is a country music star and she's performing nearby. His story is printed in the newspaper. He goes to her concert and sees her manager Harry (Wilford Brimley). She angrily warns him not to see their daughter Sue Anne (Ellen Barkin).
It's a powerful performance from Robert Duvall. That's the heart of the movie. He puts all of his skills to work. He's great when he's quiet. He's explosive when he needs to be. The camera work and the style could do more to add more substance to the material. It's a great showcase for Duvall and Tess Harper also gives a good performance.
It's a powerful performance from Robert Duvall. That's the heart of the movie. He puts all of his skills to work. He's great when he's quiet. He's explosive when he needs to be. The camera work and the style could do more to add more substance to the material. It's a great showcase for Duvall and Tess Harper also gives a good performance.
Quietly profound...
moonspinner5510 February 2010
Horton Foote won an Oscar for his original screenplay about a drunken ex-country singer/songwriter finding personal strength and redemption after marrying a young widow who runs a hotel and gas station with her little boy. The spare Texas landscapes, busy roads and bars, are vividly captured by director Bruce Beresford, who is aided greatly by a keen art direction from Jeannine Oppewall and solid performances by his cast. Robert Duvall received the Best Actor Oscar for what is arguably his greatest screen performance (he also did his own singing); using his expressive eyes and body language to wonderful effect, Duvall conveys the self-consciousness and shyness of this complicated man, the demons he's now able to shuck off and the betrayals of life he blames on himself. As his new wife, Tess Harper has never been better, and young Allan Hubbard is inquisitive without being the slightest bit precocious. Betty Buckley's role as Duvall's "rich and famous" ex-wife doesn't really work (her scenes are presented in shorthand, as are the film's opening moments). Ellen Barkin seems a bit mature cast as Duvall's estranged teenage daughter, however the beautiful work by Duvall and Harper anchors the film is an emotional reality which stays with you. Nice music direction and songs as well, adding to the challenging simplicity of the story, which runs deeper than might be expected. *** from ****
A Good Film Carried by Robert Duvall's Oscar-Winning Performance
tfrizzell2 October 2000
"Tender Mercies" is a strong character study about a washed-up country singer (Robert Duvall, in his Oscar-winning role) who finds the will to live and makes the most of his life. After spending a drunken night at a small motel in Texas, he meets the woman (Tess Harper) who can change his life for the better. She owns the motel and after allowing Duvall to stay for a while by doing odd jobs, she marries him and he starts his transformation. Duvall still has songs to sing, but his heart is just not in it any more. His ex-wife has become a singing star, partly by using the songs that Duvall wrote himself. She has also kept their daughter away from him because she was afraid he might do something in a drunken rage. Duvall comes to terms with everything and shows that he is a changed man. He meets his now-grown daughter (Ellen Barkin) and realizes that everything that has happened has occurred for the right reason. However, tragedy will strike and Duvall will have to show how great a person he really is. "Tender Mercies" is a film that works due to quiet performances, subtle direction, and a smart screenplay. The film runs a crisp 89 minutes, but never feels rushed. Robert Duvall finally got the chance to showcase his acting ability and he does not disappoint. His performance is the greatest attribute here, but this does not mean that everything else is not impressive. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Emotional, engaging drama
grantss1 April 2016
Emotional, engaging drama.
An alcoholic drifter, Mac Sledge (played by Robert Duvall), finds himself in a small Texas town. He gets a job doing handyman work for Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), a widow with a 10-year old son. Over time, a relationship develops between Mac and Rosa Lee and they get married. In due course it is revealed that Mac was a famous country singer with an equally-famous country singing wife, but alcohol ended their marriage and his career. After trying to turn his back on his former life, Mac now tries to reconcile his old life with his new.
Interesting story, with a large emotional content. It doesn't grab you immediately - the setup is quite dry and fairly uneventful - but the movie develops well. Once it builds up a decent degree of momentum it is quite engaging.
Was heading for a very profound conclusion but ends a bit abruptly. Sort of eases out, rather than goes out with a bang. Ending is still quite emotional, but could have been better. A more elaborate and developed conclusion was in order.
Superb performance by Robert Duvall in the lead role (but that is pretty much a given). Flawed, sensitive heroes with large amounts of baggage are his specialty and here he pulls out all the stops. He well deserved his Best Actor Oscar. Surprisingly, considering his incredible talent and some of the amazing performances he has delivered, this was to be his only Oscar win, though he was nominated six other times.
Good support from Tess Harper. Ellen Barkin, in one of her earliest feature film roles, puts in a solid performance as Mac's daughter.
An alcoholic drifter, Mac Sledge (played by Robert Duvall), finds himself in a small Texas town. He gets a job doing handyman work for Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), a widow with a 10-year old son. Over time, a relationship develops between Mac and Rosa Lee and they get married. In due course it is revealed that Mac was a famous country singer with an equally-famous country singing wife, but alcohol ended their marriage and his career. After trying to turn his back on his former life, Mac now tries to reconcile his old life with his new.
Interesting story, with a large emotional content. It doesn't grab you immediately - the setup is quite dry and fairly uneventful - but the movie develops well. Once it builds up a decent degree of momentum it is quite engaging.
Was heading for a very profound conclusion but ends a bit abruptly. Sort of eases out, rather than goes out with a bang. Ending is still quite emotional, but could have been better. A more elaborate and developed conclusion was in order.
Superb performance by Robert Duvall in the lead role (but that is pretty much a given). Flawed, sensitive heroes with large amounts of baggage are his specialty and here he pulls out all the stops. He well deserved his Best Actor Oscar. Surprisingly, considering his incredible talent and some of the amazing performances he has delivered, this was to be his only Oscar win, though he was nominated six other times.
Good support from Tess Harper. Ellen Barkin, in one of her earliest feature film roles, puts in a solid performance as Mac's daughter.
Duvall at his Finest !!
revdrcac15 May 2006
This moving and thought-provoking film is a timeless classic of redemption and perseverance.Robert Duvall totally captures the pain, heartache, despair and ultimate survival of a once beloved entertainer.The film is an emotional tour-de-force for all the main characters, as they deal with forgiveness, doubt, loss of faith and memories of what might have been .......
The direction, screenplay, music and cinematography are all top-notch and add to the realistic feel of the film.
In a career that has seen a number of great performances, this quiet, unassuming Duvall film will leave you inspired as well as thoughtful. In this film , we see our own lives reflected in this small town saga. Maybe that is why I found the movie so deeply entertaining. It appeals to the lost dreams and missed opportunities in our own lives.
The direction, screenplay, music and cinematography are all top-notch and add to the realistic feel of the film.
In a career that has seen a number of great performances, this quiet, unassuming Duvall film will leave you inspired as well as thoughtful. In this film , we see our own lives reflected in this small town saga. Maybe that is why I found the movie so deeply entertaining. It appeals to the lost dreams and missed opportunities in our own lives.
Robert Duvall's journey to redemption...his Oscar-winning role...
Doylenf8 February 2007
TENDER MERCIES is a simple story of a country western singer's rise from the depths of drunken despair to respectability again after meeting a woman (TESS HARPER) with whom he falls in love, marries and is encouraged to try his hand at music again.
ROBERT DUVALL is Mac, the washed up singer, now the handyman at the motel run by Harper, who lives there with her young son. He's a legend in that area of Texas and is urged by an unknown group to sing and write for them--eventually even joining them on stage for one of his latest songs. Duvall plays the role with conviction, lending his voice to the songs in pleasant country style.
His ex-wife is bitter and unforgiving (BETTY BUCKLEY), and sees everything, even the tragic death of their daughter (ELLEN BARKIN) in terms of herself as the spotlight--and unable to treat him with any sort of respect. But he basks in the loving attention of his wife and his adopted son, getting his nourishment from his relationship with them rather than anything from his past.
It's a bittersweet story, simple and direct without any sub-plots or any kind of distraction and passes the time quickly in ninety minutes, more a character study of Mac than anything else.
I'm not a fan of country music nor this sort of western, but it has a certain homespun appeal and Duvall, of course, is an actor worth watching. It must have been a lean year for Oscars though--it's not the kind of performance that immediately grabs you and hasn't got Oscar written all over it.
ROBERT DUVALL is Mac, the washed up singer, now the handyman at the motel run by Harper, who lives there with her young son. He's a legend in that area of Texas and is urged by an unknown group to sing and write for them--eventually even joining them on stage for one of his latest songs. Duvall plays the role with conviction, lending his voice to the songs in pleasant country style.
His ex-wife is bitter and unforgiving (BETTY BUCKLEY), and sees everything, even the tragic death of their daughter (ELLEN BARKIN) in terms of herself as the spotlight--and unable to treat him with any sort of respect. But he basks in the loving attention of his wife and his adopted son, getting his nourishment from his relationship with them rather than anything from his past.
It's a bittersweet story, simple and direct without any sub-plots or any kind of distraction and passes the time quickly in ninety minutes, more a character study of Mac than anything else.
I'm not a fan of country music nor this sort of western, but it has a certain homespun appeal and Duvall, of course, is an actor worth watching. It must have been a lean year for Oscars though--it's not the kind of performance that immediately grabs you and hasn't got Oscar written all over it.
Magic
JP-546 March 1999
This movie demonstrates what happens when the rare, magical perfect combination clicks together. Duvall, Beresford and Foote blended their talents marvelously and managed to fool the critics by producing a film that is absolutely one of the best ever. Its draw at the box office and on video may have surprised the critics, but is understood by those who place a high value on well-written and well-acted drama. I have nearly worn out my VHS copy from multiple viewings but I have never worn out the experience. The film is uplifting because it is all about unhoped hope finding fulfillment.
The movie combines tragedy and pathos with love, warmth and redemption in a manner that rarely occurs in a Hollywood production. To top it off, it does it so that there is not a phoney or contrived moment in the picture. Excellent and somewhat surprising supporting performances came from newcomer Tess Harper (discovered for this film by Duvall and Beresford) Ellen Barkin and Betty Buckley. Brimley (impossible to dislike in any role) is perfect as Buckley's manager.
One of the best scenes in the movie occurs when the young band drops over to "just say howdy" to the ex-singer. Harper is guarded and protective at first, but the pure hearts and openly embarrassed intent of the young men quickly win her and the viewer over. It is a touching and beautiful scene. It reminds you that there is still decency and humility among American youth (maybe we should all visit east Texas once in a while, although you can easily find it in most parts of rural USA).
No action flik this. The best word I know to describe Tender Mercies is "heartwarming." If you have not yet watched it, by all means do yourself a favor: beg, borrow, rent or steal a copy without delay. You'll never think of Duvall or Texas or country music the same again.
The movie combines tragedy and pathos with love, warmth and redemption in a manner that rarely occurs in a Hollywood production. To top it off, it does it so that there is not a phoney or contrived moment in the picture. Excellent and somewhat surprising supporting performances came from newcomer Tess Harper (discovered for this film by Duvall and Beresford) Ellen Barkin and Betty Buckley. Brimley (impossible to dislike in any role) is perfect as Buckley's manager.
One of the best scenes in the movie occurs when the young band drops over to "just say howdy" to the ex-singer. Harper is guarded and protective at first, but the pure hearts and openly embarrassed intent of the young men quickly win her and the viewer over. It is a touching and beautiful scene. It reminds you that there is still decency and humility among American youth (maybe we should all visit east Texas once in a while, although you can easily find it in most parts of rural USA).
No action flik this. The best word I know to describe Tender Mercies is "heartwarming." If you have not yet watched it, by all means do yourself a favor: beg, borrow, rent or steal a copy without delay. You'll never think of Duvall or Texas or country music the same again.
Good film missed potential
theydrivebynight7 February 2021
The Great Robert Duval at his Very Best
driver_829 June 2004
Something tells me that when it is all said and done, and people are trying to come up with that definitive "greatest actor of all-time" winner, it will be Robert Duval. I know that this is a bold statement. The Jimmy Stewart, Humphrey Bogart, Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman and Henry Fonda fans (among others) will scream and protest. Sure, it is subjective, but then again, maybe it is not. Sometimes there is supporting evidence out there, maybe because of one particular role. I think Robert Duval's performance in "Tender Mercies" is the greatest performance by an actor in the history of film. It is a subdued performance, but underneath, so powerful. Duval plays a washed up Country music singer and song writer named Mac Sledge. His better days are in the past. Now, he finds his only comfort in a whiskey bottle. His ex-wife has gone on to use his songs to become a huge star. She detests him because of the way he had become in his later years with her (alcohol). She even denies him the right to see their daughter. Mac has closed himself off to the world, he does not want to become emotionally attached to anybody or anything. The only time Mac was ever happy, bad things ended up as a result. However, Mac will soon come into contact with a widow and her young son and he gets a second chance to join the living. In this film you see a Duval character different from any other he has ever played. You see the rebirth of a spirit, long suffering. The supporting roles are incredible as well. I still find this one of the most emotionally satisfying movies ever made, every time I watch it.
Robert Duvall - is this story
thespeos13 May 2022
A human story about a country western-singer, and the trials and unanswered sufferings of life ... not too deep,
but just enough.
Here's my breakdown:
STORY: Nothing special about the story as (in many respects), like country music, it's been told a thousand times.
But this takes a very tempered, humble approach to this tale, which is not often the case.
If you're a parent, especially, this will tug at your heart. If you love country music, you'll probably love the story.
ACTING: As a whole the acting is fine, but Duvall demonstrates time and again his talent for character immersion, and his unusual brand of authenticity.
Duvall has always been one of my favorite actors. I can't think of better actor for this role.
ENTERTAINMENT: Moderate value here
TEMPO: OK, but as a whole it's slow
CINEMATOGRAPHY: About right for the story, and it stays tight, meaning the settings are very few
DIRECTING / WRITING: Director: Not a lot going on Beresford's resume that's familiar, except this and "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989).
I thought he did a fine job here, with no particular complaints especially considering the genre and context.
Writers: OK I guess, but there's a lot of TV work in there. But after he writes "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962) his work seems to improve, so maybe he found his rhythm, and why this story expresses that progress.
Is it a good film? Yes.
Should you watch this once? Yes, if you like touching human story and country music
Rating: 7.5 (mostly for Duvall's acting)
Here's my breakdown:
STORY: Nothing special about the story as (in many respects), like country music, it's been told a thousand times.
But this takes a very tempered, humble approach to this tale, which is not often the case.
If you're a parent, especially, this will tug at your heart. If you love country music, you'll probably love the story.
ACTING: As a whole the acting is fine, but Duvall demonstrates time and again his talent for character immersion, and his unusual brand of authenticity.
Duvall has always been one of my favorite actors. I can't think of better actor for this role.
ENTERTAINMENT: Moderate value here
TEMPO: OK, but as a whole it's slow
CINEMATOGRAPHY: About right for the story, and it stays tight, meaning the settings are very few
DIRECTING / WRITING: Director: Not a lot going on Beresford's resume that's familiar, except this and "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989).
I thought he did a fine job here, with no particular complaints especially considering the genre and context.
Writers: OK I guess, but there's a lot of TV work in there. But after he writes "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962) his work seems to improve, so maybe he found his rhythm, and why this story expresses that progress.
Is it a good film? Yes.
Should you watch this once? Yes, if you like touching human story and country music
Rating: 7.5 (mostly for Duvall's acting)
A Drama With Realism, Heart & Dignity
ccthemovieman-121 July 2007
This is a movie with a lot of "dignity." It has such realistic people, it kept me fascinated because it seemed so different from most films I've watched.
There aren't a lot of dramatic things that happen in the story yet, as a whole, it's a wonderful tale that stays with you. It's a lot more than just seeing an Oscar-winning performance by Robert Duvall as Texan and former C&W singer and writer, "Mac Sledge." It's simply good storytelling
I can't say I am a fan of Duvall's country singing, but that is the only thing I didn't like. Well, maybe "Dixie" (Betty Buckley), who played a bitter ex-wife of Duvall's in here. She was not pleasant, but others were really nice, likable people. Yet, this is not some sappy movie just because most of the people are good folks.
As in film noirs in which the viewer has a sense of dread, knowing something bad is around the corner, I felt the same thing in this film, even though it didn't necessarily happen. I mean with the main characters: Mac, Rosa Lee and Sonny. There was underlying tension, probably because of Sledge's alcoholic and violent past, that made me fear that any minute he was going to ruin the nice setup he had with a good woman and nice stepson.
Duvall, as usual, makes his role a fascinating and unpredictable one. With many of the people he has played over the years, you never am sure what his characters are going to do next. Tess Harper, as Mac's new wife, and Alan Hubbard, as her son, are two of the most realistic characters I've ever seen on film. It helped they were from the area so their accents were real.
This is a just straight drama, with a solid screenplay by Horton Foote and direction by Bruce Beresford ("Driving Miss Daisy"). In addition, actors Buckley (who can sing, too), Wilford Brimley and Ellen Barkin all give memorable supporting performances.
It was an interesting tale of something I have rarely seen on film in the past 50 years: a good Christian woman lifting up a man to her level. She never had to do it verbally, never nagged or preached to the man, just set example of how to act and be a loving, supportive spouse. There is a lesson for people here with how well "Rosa Lee" handled situations. Nice.....very nice.
There aren't a lot of dramatic things that happen in the story yet, as a whole, it's a wonderful tale that stays with you. It's a lot more than just seeing an Oscar-winning performance by Robert Duvall as Texan and former C&W singer and writer, "Mac Sledge." It's simply good storytelling
I can't say I am a fan of Duvall's country singing, but that is the only thing I didn't like. Well, maybe "Dixie" (Betty Buckley), who played a bitter ex-wife of Duvall's in here. She was not pleasant, but others were really nice, likable people. Yet, this is not some sappy movie just because most of the people are good folks.
As in film noirs in which the viewer has a sense of dread, knowing something bad is around the corner, I felt the same thing in this film, even though it didn't necessarily happen. I mean with the main characters: Mac, Rosa Lee and Sonny. There was underlying tension, probably because of Sledge's alcoholic and violent past, that made me fear that any minute he was going to ruin the nice setup he had with a good woman and nice stepson.
Duvall, as usual, makes his role a fascinating and unpredictable one. With many of the people he has played over the years, you never am sure what his characters are going to do next. Tess Harper, as Mac's new wife, and Alan Hubbard, as her son, are two of the most realistic characters I've ever seen on film. It helped they were from the area so their accents were real.
This is a just straight drama, with a solid screenplay by Horton Foote and direction by Bruce Beresford ("Driving Miss Daisy"). In addition, actors Buckley (who can sing, too), Wilford Brimley and Ellen Barkin all give memorable supporting performances.
It was an interesting tale of something I have rarely seen on film in the past 50 years: a good Christian woman lifting up a man to her level. She never had to do it verbally, never nagged or preached to the man, just set example of how to act and be a loving, supportive spouse. There is a lesson for people here with how well "Rosa Lee" handled situations. Nice.....very nice.
Tender and lite.
SameirAli19 September 2021
At Best It's Nothing Special
bigverybadtom10 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I saw it in the library and noticed it was an award winner, so I checked it out and watched it with my mother. Neither of us were impressed.
The story is about a former country music star who has collapsed into alcoholism and vagrancy, and ultimately winds up at a rural motel/gas station run by a young widow and her young son. He offers to work for her, and she accepts, telling him he could not drink. But he is still a country music legend, and he is first visited by a reporter, then a garage band who want to meet him. Also in the region are his ex-wife, also a country music star, and their daughter. The rest of the story, of course, has Mac's past catching up to him.
While the performances and characters are all credible, especially of the little boy who acts like a genuine little boy and not a precocious stereotype, the story is predictable and holds little in the way of surprises. The song that makes a major part of the story isn't even very good. We don't even learn much of anything about the country music industry or culture.
Not bad but not good either. It must have been a lean year at the Oscars.
The story is about a former country music star who has collapsed into alcoholism and vagrancy, and ultimately winds up at a rural motel/gas station run by a young widow and her young son. He offers to work for her, and she accepts, telling him he could not drink. But he is still a country music legend, and he is first visited by a reporter, then a garage band who want to meet him. Also in the region are his ex-wife, also a country music star, and their daughter. The rest of the story, of course, has Mac's past catching up to him.
While the performances and characters are all credible, especially of the little boy who acts like a genuine little boy and not a precocious stereotype, the story is predictable and holds little in the way of surprises. The song that makes a major part of the story isn't even very good. We don't even learn much of anything about the country music industry or culture.
Not bad but not good either. It must have been a lean year at the Oscars.
the good things
Nick-33711 January 2004
I was happy to see this film once again when it aired last night on CMT. It's certainly worthy of a second look, as you take something new away from it each time. Even though this was filmed during the urban cowboy era of the early 80s, it doesn't seem dated in its subject matter. Country music fans can draw their own conclusions as to who inspired some of the characters. Robert Duvall's burnt-out drunk Mac Sledge surely borrowed from Lefty Frizzell. Mac's singing style is eerily close to Lefty's and he even performs one of his songs in the film. Betty Buckley's country queen Dixie Scott is reminiscent of Dottie West. Perhaps the writer based his story on George Jones and Tammy Wynette's bitter divorce, Jones' subsequent alcoholism and redemption, and Tammy's raising of their daughter. Whatever the case, it has a wonderful message about loss making us appreciate the good things we're given in life. The final song playing while Tess Harper watches her husband and son tossing a football says it best.
Heat and Dust
richardchatten11 September 2023
The third of three low-keyed films with Robert Duvall depicting life in flyover country, 'Tender Mercies' reunites writer Horton Foote with star Robert Duvall twenty years after he made his film debut as Boo Radley. Duvall doesn't get to say much more in 'Tender Mercies' but nothing impresses the Academy more than a sophisticated urbanite playing a hick in a stetson and acknowledged that fact to the tune of an Acadamy Award.
The most eloquent aspect of the film is probably the Texas landscape which looks on impervously, which it obviously took an Australian director and cameraman to do it justice.
The most eloquent aspect of the film is probably the Texas landscape which looks on impervously, which it obviously took an Australian director and cameraman to do it justice.
The power of simplicity.
jckruize8 November 2001
To all aspiring screenwriters: this is how to do it. Horton Foote eschews all of the phony and melodramatic plot devices Hollywood is so fond of, and concentrates instead on telling his tale as truly and simply as possible. In complete synch with him are his collaborators, director Bruce Beresford and star Robert Duvall. There's not a false gesture, extraneous word of dialogue, or wasted camera move. Just people who seem real, who strive to reach out to others, who want love and want to give it, but sometimes don't know how. There are quiet, subtle moments in this movie that squeeze the heart. Don't pass this one by.
Spawned Some Knockoffs
RARubin6 July 2006
Tender Mercies from 1983 has spawned some knockoffs, made for TV films that you see on the Country Cable station. TM is still one of the best portrayals of poor Texas brush folks on flat, flat terrain. Sometimes tumbleweed tumbles by. Anyhow, one looks at that big sky and a country song comes to your lips. Robert Duvall plays Mac Sledge stoically in tight blue jeans and cowboy boots. Duvall slips off the Godfather set and takes that Texas accent where men sort of mumble homily's at a moments notice. Ah, he can't sing, but he gets a nice voice-over during a honky tonk gig.
So former Country star Duval has fallen hard and end drunkenly ends up at a rural Austin motel to take up with Tess Harper, a widow of the Vietnam War. Her young son needs a father. The ready made family makes do with gas station revenue while Duval dries out. Local citizens, boys in a garage band lure the has-been songwriter back into the music business. Former wife Trixie still hates his drunken ways and won't let Mac connect with his young daughter, teen Ellen Barker. After that, there's a tragedy.
I watched TM with a teen daughter and we enjoyed it. We're not talking Fellini or Welles here, but it kept me interested.
So former Country star Duval has fallen hard and end drunkenly ends up at a rural Austin motel to take up with Tess Harper, a widow of the Vietnam War. Her young son needs a father. The ready made family makes do with gas station revenue while Duval dries out. Local citizens, boys in a garage band lure the has-been songwriter back into the music business. Former wife Trixie still hates his drunken ways and won't let Mac connect with his young daughter, teen Ellen Barker. After that, there's a tragedy.
I watched TM with a teen daughter and we enjoyed it. We're not talking Fellini or Welles here, but it kept me interested.
Laid back movie with a surprising emotional impact
DrJoTab21 October 1998
This is a great, great film. Robert Duvall richly deserved the Oscar he won for Best Actor, and Bruce Beresford's direction is quirky but consistently entertaining.
The most wonderful aspect of this movie is how the screenwriter (Horton Foote) doesn't let the characters engage in all the obvious, "Hollywood" histrionics that the plot would allow them to do. For example: when Mack (Duvall) finally meets his long-lost daughter late in the film, he doesn't run to her and embrace her with tears staining his face while music swells beneath the scene, as a hack director would have him do. Instead, he looks at his shoes, makes small talk, and acts embarrassed. Why? Because, consistently throughout the film, he doesn't believe he deserves the good things that come his way.
This is the tale of a man who, in the absolute pit of despair and hopelessness, is saved by the love of a good woman and the love of God. You need to see it.
The most wonderful aspect of this movie is how the screenwriter (Horton Foote) doesn't let the characters engage in all the obvious, "Hollywood" histrionics that the plot would allow them to do. For example: when Mack (Duvall) finally meets his long-lost daughter late in the film, he doesn't run to her and embrace her with tears staining his face while music swells beneath the scene, as a hack director would have him do. Instead, he looks at his shoes, makes small talk, and acts embarrassed. Why? Because, consistently throughout the film, he doesn't believe he deserves the good things that come his way.
This is the tale of a man who, in the absolute pit of despair and hopelessness, is saved by the love of a good woman and the love of God. You need to see it.
In the spirit of John Ford
roth194920 September 2002
As spare and clean and unflinching as a John Ford movie. At times reminds me of The Searchers in its perfect marriage of style and pained stoicism, and the way the sky and fate dwarf the all-too-human interiors. Superb editing and interior design, and probably Duvall's finest performance.
Love & Mercy
sol-27 January 2017
Reduced to a life of drunkenness, a former famous country singer finds the inspiration to turn his life around after befriending a lonely widow who works an outskirts gas station in this Horton Foote scripted drama that won Robert Duvall his only ever Oscar. Always reliable when given the right character to play, Duvall is excellent throughout and the film benefits from a memorable, emotionally charged theme song that was also nominated for an Oscar. The overall film though is never quite as compelling as Duvall's performance. While the script offers memorable dialogue ("I don't trust happiness"), it provides little in the way of plot complications for Duvall's character to overcome. Initially, a nosey reporter and a bunch of country music fans who track Duvall down seem like they might tear at old wounds, but on the contrary, they only help him to further improve. Admittedly a surprise off-screen death offers a little jolt, but in general, 'Tender Mercies' offers such an upbeat tale, done in such high spirits that it is hard to take it as anything down-to-earth or realistic. Quitting alcohol proves no challenge to Duvall; same goes for rejoining the music scene - and thus his character never really feels like he has that much to go through. As mentioned though, Duvall is superb, and in fact the entire supporting cast - especially Allan Hubbard as a surrogate son - deliver well. The film also makes country living under wide open skies look very attractive. Its positive reputation is certainly understandable, but one's mileage with 'Tender Mercies' may vary.
I don't trust happiness. I never did. I never will.
ferguson-622 January 2014
Greetings again from the darkness. What a cinematic treat to revisit this movie on the big screen some 30 years after its release. Standing in stark contrast to the superhero and graphic novel special effects extravaganzas of today, this little film takes a slow, simmering approach as it deals with real emotions of life.
Robert Duvall won his only (so far) Oscar (he's been nominated 6 times) for playing Mac Sledge, a divorced former C&W singer/songwriter who spends each day trying to kill the pain by draining bottles of booze. The similarities to Jeff Bridges' 2009 film Crazy Heart are unmistakable, but this film is much quieter with emotions being relayed through the eyes and body language of the key characters.
Mac's gradual path to redemption comes courtesy of war-widow Rosa Lee, played exceedingly well by Tess Harper (her first feature film). Rosa Lee runs a gas station/hotel while raising her young boy named Sonny (Allan Hubbard in his only screen appearance). As the story develops, we meet Mac's ex-wife Dixie, played by a bombastic Betty Buckley (the mom from TV's Eight is Enough, a Tony winner, the helpful teacher in the original Carrie) as she lives a life of luxury and insecurity courtesy of a career singing Mac's songs. Their daughter is played by Ellen Barkin in only her second screen appearance (Diner, 1982). Dixie's manager offers us a chance to see the always superb Wilford Brimley with his drawling charm.
The story was written by the remarkable Horton Foote (a native Texan), who also won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Mr. Foote also won an Oscar for adapting Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird for the screen, was nominated for The Trip to Bountiful, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1955, and was nicknamed the "American Chekov". His works always captured the essence of what makes people tick, and how they deal with adversity. He passed away in 2009 at age 92.
Australian director Bruce Beresford was coming off the masterful Breaker Morant (nominated for his screenplay) and was surprised to be chosen to direct his first American film. He would later go on to direct Driving Miss Daisy, winner of the Best Picture Oscar. Mr. Beresford is now in his 7th decade of film work spanning his 1959 short film and his TV mini-series Bonnie & Clyde from 2013.
This is such a no-frills, down-to-earth presentation that it's easy to be tricked into thinking it's a simple story about simple people. Instead, these are complicated folks leading complicated lives in a seemingly quiet manner. Mostly they are re-assembling the pieces as best they can ... some are better at it than others. The core of these people is captured in Mac's line: "I don't trust happiness. I never did. I never will".
Robert Duvall won his only (so far) Oscar (he's been nominated 6 times) for playing Mac Sledge, a divorced former C&W singer/songwriter who spends each day trying to kill the pain by draining bottles of booze. The similarities to Jeff Bridges' 2009 film Crazy Heart are unmistakable, but this film is much quieter with emotions being relayed through the eyes and body language of the key characters.
Mac's gradual path to redemption comes courtesy of war-widow Rosa Lee, played exceedingly well by Tess Harper (her first feature film). Rosa Lee runs a gas station/hotel while raising her young boy named Sonny (Allan Hubbard in his only screen appearance). As the story develops, we meet Mac's ex-wife Dixie, played by a bombastic Betty Buckley (the mom from TV's Eight is Enough, a Tony winner, the helpful teacher in the original Carrie) as she lives a life of luxury and insecurity courtesy of a career singing Mac's songs. Their daughter is played by Ellen Barkin in only her second screen appearance (Diner, 1982). Dixie's manager offers us a chance to see the always superb Wilford Brimley with his drawling charm.
The story was written by the remarkable Horton Foote (a native Texan), who also won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Mr. Foote also won an Oscar for adapting Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird for the screen, was nominated for The Trip to Bountiful, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1955, and was nicknamed the "American Chekov". His works always captured the essence of what makes people tick, and how they deal with adversity. He passed away in 2009 at age 92.
Australian director Bruce Beresford was coming off the masterful Breaker Morant (nominated for his screenplay) and was surprised to be chosen to direct his first American film. He would later go on to direct Driving Miss Daisy, winner of the Best Picture Oscar. Mr. Beresford is now in his 7th decade of film work spanning his 1959 short film and his TV mini-series Bonnie & Clyde from 2013.
This is such a no-frills, down-to-earth presentation that it's easy to be tricked into thinking it's a simple story about simple people. Instead, these are complicated folks leading complicated lives in a seemingly quiet manner. Mostly they are re-assembling the pieces as best they can ... some are better at it than others. The core of these people is captured in Mac's line: "I don't trust happiness. I never did. I never will".
Robert Duvall is Mac Sledge, His fight for respect was just beginning.
ikizdevran-882-2546844 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
"Tender Mercies" is the story of a recovering alcoholic country singer who used to be famous once upon a time. He looks for a way to get his life back, and the story focuses on a certain period of his life. "Tender Mercies" is a drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and nominated for five Academy Awards including the Best Picture, and won 2 of them, Best Original Screenplay, Horton Foote, and Best Actor in a Leading Role, Robert Duvall. There are some films that focus only on one person. "Tender Mercies" is a splendid example of films like that. Robert Duvall's performance determines the success of the film. "Tender Mercies" has a very calm atmosphere. Nothing extreme or illogical happens. It is one of the films where you really believe in the story and the people in it. You accept the leading actor as one of your own. Sometimes you even get to ask yourself "why I watched this story?" "Tender Mercies" is like that. Maybe the story has nothing to do with you but it has everything to do with life. This is the main reason why it was nominated for five Academy Awards. The director is very much focused on the main character and ignores everything else. This creates a smooth and flowing progression for the story. The runtime of 92 minutes is very well calculated. This film is like the life itself. It is a part of life. You feel like nothing really happens, but eventually realize that a lot has changed around you. I think I can't describe "Tender Mercies" in a better way. Even though it is a drama, since it tells the story of a singer, you are going to hear a lot of beautiful country songs.
Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) was, once upon a time, famous country singer and song writer. He lost his family and career to alcohol. The film opens with a scene where he fights with a guy, in a remote hotel room, over a bottle of alcohol. Next day when he wakes up, he finds out that he doesn't have money to pay for his room. The owner of the motel, Rosa Lee, (Tess Harper) is a young widow who lost her husband in the Vietnam War and remained with her son Sonny (Allan Hubbard). Mac offers help for the motel to pay for his room. Rosa Lee agrees and he starts working there. After a couple of months, Mac recovers from alcohol and gets married to Rosa Lee.
In a lot of scenes, we witness the inner screams of Mac. Rosa Lee and Sonny help him get back to his real self, and Mac proves to have a strong character. He starts to write music, he starts to sing again. He makes up with his daughter who dies in a car crash later on. There are a lot of scenes where he shows exceptional performances, but there is one particular scene which, I think, brings him the Oscar. This scene explains the unfairness of life and inner pains of Mac as well. I want to write a bit about this scene. Mac finds out about his daughter's death, he is in the garden, caring for vegetables and he tells his wife these exact words; "I don't know why I wandered out this part of Texas drunk, and you took me in and pitied me and helped me to straighten out, marry me. Why? Why did that happen? Is there a reason that happened? And Sonny's daddy died in the war, my daughter killed in an automobile accident. Why? See, I don't trust happiness. I never did; I never will." This scene is the whole summary of the film. This is exactly what I meant when I said; "Tender Mercies" is a part of real life. How many times I have asked related questions to myself. The justice has an unusual way of working, and it will never be truly understood. Mac has seen everything in his life, that's why he doesn't trust happiness. When you live long enough, survive long enough, you learn not to trust happiness. Because no one can hurt you anymore when you have no expectations. These feeling are the best examples of the reality of "Tender Mercies."
"Tender Mercies" was made with a humble budget of $4.5 Million and grossed around $8.4 Million. These kinds of films don't have financial targets, they don't have big marketing campaigns. They are as silent as the characters in it. This is the beauty of "Tender Mercies." It is a notable example of the fact that you don't need a lot of money to make a good film. As for similarity, Randy Robinson, played by Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler, and, Bad Blake played by Jeff Bridges in the Crazy Heart, have similar inner struggles. Since these stories are directly about people, they will always have a respectful place in cinema.
Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) was, once upon a time, famous country singer and song writer. He lost his family and career to alcohol. The film opens with a scene where he fights with a guy, in a remote hotel room, over a bottle of alcohol. Next day when he wakes up, he finds out that he doesn't have money to pay for his room. The owner of the motel, Rosa Lee, (Tess Harper) is a young widow who lost her husband in the Vietnam War and remained with her son Sonny (Allan Hubbard). Mac offers help for the motel to pay for his room. Rosa Lee agrees and he starts working there. After a couple of months, Mac recovers from alcohol and gets married to Rosa Lee.
In a lot of scenes, we witness the inner screams of Mac. Rosa Lee and Sonny help him get back to his real self, and Mac proves to have a strong character. He starts to write music, he starts to sing again. He makes up with his daughter who dies in a car crash later on. There are a lot of scenes where he shows exceptional performances, but there is one particular scene which, I think, brings him the Oscar. This scene explains the unfairness of life and inner pains of Mac as well. I want to write a bit about this scene. Mac finds out about his daughter's death, he is in the garden, caring for vegetables and he tells his wife these exact words; "I don't know why I wandered out this part of Texas drunk, and you took me in and pitied me and helped me to straighten out, marry me. Why? Why did that happen? Is there a reason that happened? And Sonny's daddy died in the war, my daughter killed in an automobile accident. Why? See, I don't trust happiness. I never did; I never will." This scene is the whole summary of the film. This is exactly what I meant when I said; "Tender Mercies" is a part of real life. How many times I have asked related questions to myself. The justice has an unusual way of working, and it will never be truly understood. Mac has seen everything in his life, that's why he doesn't trust happiness. When you live long enough, survive long enough, you learn not to trust happiness. Because no one can hurt you anymore when you have no expectations. These feeling are the best examples of the reality of "Tender Mercies."
"Tender Mercies" was made with a humble budget of $4.5 Million and grossed around $8.4 Million. These kinds of films don't have financial targets, they don't have big marketing campaigns. They are as silent as the characters in it. This is the beauty of "Tender Mercies." It is a notable example of the fact that you don't need a lot of money to make a good film. As for similarity, Randy Robinson, played by Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler, and, Bad Blake played by Jeff Bridges in the Crazy Heart, have similar inner struggles. Since these stories are directly about people, they will always have a respectful place in cinema.
An unbelievably overrated movie.
WitnessToIt1 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Some movies contain deep insights about the human condition, profound meanings or thoughts, and others don't but people will look deeply and try and find them in order to try and feel about something like others say they should (esp. critics); this is one of the latter.
Duvall plays Mac, a former country singing star. He is left one night by a fellow drunk who fights with him over a bottle and knocks him out, at this tiny little motel in the middle of nowhere and after sleeping it off, asks if the room is paid. One things leads to another and after working off the bill for the owner, Rosa Lee, who lives there with her son, Sonny, she lets him keep working, and he stays off the bottle, and then eventually Mac, without so much as him and Rosa Lee shaking hands, let alone kissing or showing ANY sort of romantic feelings for one another, let alone the LEAST little bit of chemistry for one another, makes a pathetic excuse for a proposal to her and they're then married. But we never see this marriage, or any chemistry between them happen after they're married. Betty Buckley plays his ex-wife country singing star, Dixie, who sings his songs but hates him, Ellen Barkin is his estranged 18 year old daughter Sue Ann who comes to visit him, a country group wants him to come see them play somewhere but never gives him their name (but they come back later and he agrees to let them record one of his songs, then eventually sing with them). The only thing we hear Sonny talk about is is dad who died in Vietnam; no other insight is given to his character. As Mac is making a sort of a very small comeback, Sue Ann is killed in an automobile accident caused by her newly-married husband. Dixie is beside herself at the funeral. Mac talks with Rosa Lee afterward while working outside the motel, saying why wasn't it him who died (as he was in a big accident years before), and not her. He says he doesn't understand a damn thing. He also says the ONE great line in this movie: "You see, I don't trust happiness. I never did, I never will." That ONE LINE got him an Oscar for this INCREDIBLY slow-moving, quiet movie where nothing is really shown about ANY of the characters (though Mac can be READ, a bit), no background, him and his wife (his third, as we find out, as does his wife, after they are married) and their son, his stepson, life a life without ANYTHING revealed about it or them. Their life comes off as so unbearably dull it would drive most people to desperation.
It's a quiet movie that says nothing. She sings at the choir. Sonny talks about his dad dying in Vietnam.
It's an incredibly BORING, EMPTY movie.
At the end of the movie, Mac brings home a football and him and Sonny pass it to each other, play with it. And then it's THE END.
I can't believe this movie is rated so high, a movie where nothing happens (the way the things written above happen are without any insights into why, without any buildup, NOTHING). This was made as a quiet movie. Fine. But don't tell me there's any deep meaning here in these barely-drawn-out characters, or tell me that THIS is a great movie, or even decent one (no WONDER this did horribly both at test screenings and when released theatrically). This movie is NOT entertainment, NOT deep, not even a good story by any means. AVOID. Or watch it, and waste an hour and a half, and wonder afterward what the fuss is about. Duvall sings some Lefty Frizzell songs; one, called It Hurts To Face Reality is pretty good, though Duvall is a great actor, just a decent singer at best; Buckley fairs better; too bad the movie as a whole doesn't. Duvall's acting is fair but there's no story here; he's played MUCH better parts, but then, the Academy is notorious for giving great actors awards not for their best movies but for others as compensation.
Duvall plays Mac, a former country singing star. He is left one night by a fellow drunk who fights with him over a bottle and knocks him out, at this tiny little motel in the middle of nowhere and after sleeping it off, asks if the room is paid. One things leads to another and after working off the bill for the owner, Rosa Lee, who lives there with her son, Sonny, she lets him keep working, and he stays off the bottle, and then eventually Mac, without so much as him and Rosa Lee shaking hands, let alone kissing or showing ANY sort of romantic feelings for one another, let alone the LEAST little bit of chemistry for one another, makes a pathetic excuse for a proposal to her and they're then married. But we never see this marriage, or any chemistry between them happen after they're married. Betty Buckley plays his ex-wife country singing star, Dixie, who sings his songs but hates him, Ellen Barkin is his estranged 18 year old daughter Sue Ann who comes to visit him, a country group wants him to come see them play somewhere but never gives him their name (but they come back later and he agrees to let them record one of his songs, then eventually sing with them). The only thing we hear Sonny talk about is is dad who died in Vietnam; no other insight is given to his character. As Mac is making a sort of a very small comeback, Sue Ann is killed in an automobile accident caused by her newly-married husband. Dixie is beside herself at the funeral. Mac talks with Rosa Lee afterward while working outside the motel, saying why wasn't it him who died (as he was in a big accident years before), and not her. He says he doesn't understand a damn thing. He also says the ONE great line in this movie: "You see, I don't trust happiness. I never did, I never will." That ONE LINE got him an Oscar for this INCREDIBLY slow-moving, quiet movie where nothing is really shown about ANY of the characters (though Mac can be READ, a bit), no background, him and his wife (his third, as we find out, as does his wife, after they are married) and their son, his stepson, life a life without ANYTHING revealed about it or them. Their life comes off as so unbearably dull it would drive most people to desperation.
It's a quiet movie that says nothing. She sings at the choir. Sonny talks about his dad dying in Vietnam.
It's an incredibly BORING, EMPTY movie.
At the end of the movie, Mac brings home a football and him and Sonny pass it to each other, play with it. And then it's THE END.
I can't believe this movie is rated so high, a movie where nothing happens (the way the things written above happen are without any insights into why, without any buildup, NOTHING). This was made as a quiet movie. Fine. But don't tell me there's any deep meaning here in these barely-drawn-out characters, or tell me that THIS is a great movie, or even decent one (no WONDER this did horribly both at test screenings and when released theatrically). This movie is NOT entertainment, NOT deep, not even a good story by any means. AVOID. Or watch it, and waste an hour and a half, and wonder afterward what the fuss is about. Duvall sings some Lefty Frizzell songs; one, called It Hurts To Face Reality is pretty good, though Duvall is a great actor, just a decent singer at best; Buckley fairs better; too bad the movie as a whole doesn't. Duvall's acting is fair but there's no story here; he's played MUCH better parts, but then, the Academy is notorious for giving great actors awards not for their best movies but for others as compensation.
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